Hi Everyone,
My name is Ukachi Myne Chukwu and I am asking for your support to help me raise $27,000 so I can attend the University of Sussex in September 2017 for my Masters in Media for Development and Social Change.
Let me start by expressing my sincere appreciation to you for sparing a few minutes to read about me and the reason I started this campaign. It took me several weeks- more moments than I can count- of writing, deleting, re-writing, and deleting again, to get me to post this. After several hours of over thinking and killing the thoughts telling me that I am wasting my time, I decided to do this the best way I know how: tell my story.
On June 17th 2017, I received a letter from the University of Sussex notifying me that I have received the Chancellors International Scholarship for the 2017/2018 academic session. This scholarship will be awarded as a 50% tuition fee waiver while I undertake MA Media Practice for Development and Social Change at the University of Sussex.
The realization that I had finally received some financial aid to enable me pursue my academic goal in a school with one of the best Development Studies Programs in the world, like the University of Sussex, took a while to sink in. Prior to this time, several attempts to get financial aid to pursue my Masters Studies had failed. Since 2013, I have applied for several scholarship opportunities to no avail. The last rejection I got was a gut-wrenching “I am sorry to inform you that your application was unsuccessful” letter from Chevening on my birthday in February.
Therefore, when the Chancellor’s International Scholarship opened, I wasn’t sure my heart and self-esteem could take another rejection. But I knew one thing: the only way to win is to stay in the game. If I didn’t apply, if I did not at least try again, I would never get the opportunity to get a yes. So, on that 14th May deadline, with my insides all tied up in knots, I silenced the loud voice of the fear telling me not to waste my time and energy. With fingers shaking, but with a heart brimming with faint hopes that a fear of failure couldn’t crush, I clicked the submit button yet again. I was prepared to keep trying for as long as it took to get the break I needed.
By awarding me the Chancellors’ International Scholarship, the University of Sussex has thrown me a huge financial life line that takes me closer to actualizing my goals. Now, I ask for your help to make this dream a reality.
WHAT IS THE ESSENCE OF THIS CAMPAIGN?
Tuition for an international student for the 2017/2018 academic session at the University of Sussex is £17,000. Having received 50% scholarship, I have £8,500 to pay. In addition, I require about £12,500 to cover living expenses, mandatory health insurance and visa fees totalling £21,000. This comes up to $27,000 when converted. I explored the option of working to pay my way through school in the UK but that is impossible.
With a student visa, an International Student in the United Kingdom can only work for 20 hours per week. Even more importantly, I need these funds sitting in my personal account for not less than 28 days in order to secure my student visa early enough to start my studies in September 2017. I need to provide evidence of this fund by the last week of August. This gives me just about 4 weeks to pull off this miracle.
I need your help, no matter how little, to make this happen.
WHY SHOULD YOU INVEST IN ME?
This is a logical question to ask. Times are hard and money is scarce to come by so it is not out of place to ask why you should spare your money so I can undertake my Masters studies.
I have worked as a Development Communicator since 2013. In this role, I use radio, print and new media technologies to promote social development. I understand the power of human communication to drive social change. Daily as I carry out my duties, I shape citizens perspective on issues of democratic governance, human rights, youth participation in public leadership, gender equality, social justice, electoral democracy and accountability. I use words- both spoken and written- to influence behaviours so as to promote positive social change.
In the years I have worked as a Development Communicator, I have become more exposed to the severe developmental and governance challenges Nigeria is grappling with; particularly in the areas of youth development, gender equality, human rights, electoral democracy, to mention but a few. Perhaps, most importantly, I have become more exposed to the tremendous power the media has to effect global, social and political change. It was precisely for this reason that I applied to the University of Sussex to gain the technical expertise to actively engage in social concerns and proffer innovative solutions to Nigeria’s developmental challenges.
I know it sounds cliché, but I really do believe I can contribute my quota in making my country a better place. My goal is to come back to Nigeria at the end of my program and put the knowledge I gain from the University of Sussex to good use. My Masters program will provide me with international exposure and better perspective so I can engage in more informed dialogues as I carry out my role as a development communicator in Nigeria.
It is extremely difficult for me to ask for help and I am aware of the fact that I do not have the most tear jerking story to share as to why I need help but I do hope you help in any way you can to get me to the University of Sussex. No amount is too little. And if you can’t help, that’s okay too. A prayer from you and sharing this on your social media platforms so other people get to see it will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you so much for sparing the time to get to know more about me.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for considering investing in my future.
Thank you for all your support.
-Ukachi Myne Chukwu
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